Meet Richard and John

Waiting for marriage to celebrate 60+ years of love and commitment

Richard and John asked for the right to marry in their home state of New York after 61 years as a couple. A year later they got their wish and tied to knot.

“To be able to start a new phase of life by being married after 61 years would really be a completion of something that’s been quite marvelous and wonderful for us both.” After more than 60 years together, this musical New York couple spoke of how they met and fell in love for Freedom to Marry’s 2011 campaign for marriage equality in New York. A year later Freedom to Marry followed up: same-sex marriage was legal in New York state and Richard and John had tied the knot!